Lexical Summary chamesh or chamishshah: Five Original Word: חָמֵשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fifteen, fifth, five apiece Masculine chamishshah {kham-ish-shaw}; a primitive numeral; five -- fif(-teen), fifth, five (X apiece). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition five NASB Translation 1,005* (1), 1,335* (1), 1,365* (1), 1,775* (2), 15* (1), 15,000* (1), 185,000* (2), 245* (3), 25,000* (16), 25,100* (1), 30,500* (2), 307,500* (1), 32,500* (1), 337,500* (2), 345* (2), 35,400* (2), 4,500* (8), 40,500* (3), 41,500* (2), 435* (2), 45* (1), 45,400* (1), 45,600* (1), 45,650* (2), 46,500* (2), 5,000* (7), 5,400* (1), 500* (3), 500,000* (1), 530* (1), 60,500* (1), 603,550* (2), 65* (1), 655* (1), 675* (1), 675,000* (1), 7,500* (1), 725* (1), 745* (1), 75,000* (1), 775* (1), 8,580* (1), 845* (1), 945* (1), 95* (2), fifteen* (15), fifteenth* (17), fifth (5), five (168), forty-five* (2), ninety-five* (2), sixty-five* (3), thirty-fifth* (1), thirty-five* (4), twenty-fifth* (3), twenty-five* (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָמֵשׁ, חֲמִשָּׁה342 noun masculine and feminine five (Late Hebrew id.; id.; Aramaic חֲמֵשׁ, חַמְשָׁא, noun masculine) absolute חֲמִשָּׁה see LagBN 80 Genesis 18:28 139t. (including Ezekiel 8:16 strike out B Co and others); construct חֲמֵשֶׁת Numbers 3:47 (twice in verse) + 26 t.; — on plural חֲמִשִּׁים fifty, see below; — five, in Hexateuch chiefly P; — 1 without other numeral: a. חָמֵשׁ before feminine plural noun Genesis 43:34 35t.; before collective noun צאֹן ׳ח 1 Samuel 25:18; see also בָּאַמָּה ׳ח five in cubit (s) = five cubits 1 Kings 7:23; 1 Chronicles 11:23; 2Chronicles 4:2; after noun (late) 2 Kings 8:16 (בִּשְׁנַת חָמֵשׁ לְיוֺרָם = in the fifth year) + 6 t. Chronicles; no noun expressed 1 Kings 7:39 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 7:49 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 3:20; 2Chronicles 4:7 (twice in verse). b. חֲמִשָּׁה before masculine plural noun Genesis 47:2 18t.; after noun Exodus 36:38 36t. Numbers (all P); no noun expressed Genesis 14:9 (only here with article) + 20 t. c. חֲמֵשׁ before noun (usually defined; except מֵאוֺת, אֲלָפִים, see 3, 4) Exodus 26:3,9; Exodus 36:10,16 + Ezekiel 42:16 אַמּוֺת ׳ח Kt, but Qr מאות ׳ח, see below d. חֲמֵשֶׁת חַמְּלָכִים Joshua 10:5 5t.; הָאֲנָשִׁים ׳ח Judges 18:7,14,17; שׁקלים ׳ח Numbers 18:16; also, distributive, שְׁקָלִים ׳ח ׳ח Numbers 3:47; הַסְּרָנִים ׳ח Joshua 13:3; Judges 3:3; 1 Samuel 6:18; ׳בני מ ׳ח 2 Samuel 21:8. e. = ordinal, בִּשְׁנַת חָמֵשׁ ליורם 2 Kings 8:16 the fifth (year) of Joram; בַּחֲמִשָּׁה לַחֹדֶשׁ on the fifth (day) of the month Ezekiel 1:1,2; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 33:21; (so also 15th, 25th, etc.) 2 ׳ח combined with עשׂר, עשׂרה ten = fifteen: a. חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה (c. noun feminine) Genesis 5:10; Genesis 7:20; Exodus 27:14,15; Exodus 38:14,15; 2 Kings 14:17,23; 2 Kings 20:6; 2Chronicles 15:10; 25:25; Isaiah 38:5. b. חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר (c. noun masculine), (1) after noun Esther 9:21; (2) before noun Exodus 16:1 ( = ordinal fifteenth, so Leviticus 23:6 +) Hosea 3:2 +. c. חֲמֵשֶׁת עָשָׂר before noun 2 Samuel 19:18 +. d. חֲמֵשֶׁת עָשָׂר, without noun = ordinal fifteenth 1 Chronicles 24:14 4t. + Ezekiel 45:12 (read חֲמִשִּׁים A Hi Co). 3 חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֺת = 500 Genesis 5:30,32 49t. + Ezekiel 42:16 Qr. 4 חֲמֵשֶׁת אֲלָפִים = 5000 Numbers 31:32; Joshua 8:12; Judges 20:45; 1 Samuel 17:5; Ezekiel 45:6; Ezekiel 48:15; 1 Chronicles 29:7; 2Chronicles 35:9; Ezra 1:11; Ezra 2:69; — in 25,000, 35,000 etc. חֲמִשָּׁה (usually without ׳א) precedes the 20,000, 30,000, etc. 5 with other numerals: a. חָמֵשׁ before larger numeral: (1) noun repeated Genesis 5:6 4t.; (2) noun with 2nd number only, Genesis 5:17 8t. + Ezekiel 45:3 Kt; (3) noun with בְּ with 2nd number Ezekiel 40:21 2t. b. חָמֵשׁ after larger number: (1) noun repeated Genesis 25:7; (2) noun following ׳ח (only) Judges 14:10 + (especially in expressions of age and duration); (3) noun before both numbers, stative absolute, 2 Chronicles 3:15; stative construct 2 Chronicles 15:19. c. no noun expressed, ׳ח between other number, e.g. ושׁבעים ׳שֵׁשׁ מאות ח Numbers 31:37. d. חֲמִשָּׁה before larger number, noun following larger number Numbers 1:25 22t. e. ׳ח follows, and (1) is followed by noun Judges 20:35 7t.; (2) noun precedes both 1 Kings 7:3; Jeremiah 52:30. f. ׳ח precedes, no noun expressed 1 Kings 5:12. g. ׳ח follows, no noun expr Genesis 18:28 +. h. no noun expressed ׳ח between other number Exodus 38:28; Ezra 2:5. Topical Lexicon Frequency and Range of Use חָמֵשׁ is the ordinary Hebrew word for the cardinal “five,” the ordinal “fifth,” and several derivative forms (“five-fold,” “by fives,” “armed/in ranks”). It appears about 344 times, touching narrative, law, poetry, prophecy and historical record, so that the concept of “five” weaves through virtually every thread of Old Testament revelation. Numerical Symbolism Five often functions as the number of God-given sufficiency and grace. Salvation accounts repeatedly feature “five” where human weakness meets divine provision: • David “chose five smooth stones from the brook” (1 Samuel 17:40) yet needed only one, underscoring God’s empowerment beyond human preparedness. While Scripture nowhere assigns an explicit definition of five as “grace,” the recurrent pairing of five with unexpected favor commends that theological observation. The Pentateuch: Fivefold Foundation of Revelation The Torah itself—Genesis through Deuteronomy—forms a deliberate five-book unit. Moses’ five-fold structure presents origins, redemption, worship, wandering and covenant renewal. This sets a template: God’s definitive word in five parts laying doctrinal bedrock, mirrored later by the five major sections of the Psalter (Psalms 1–150) and, typologically, by the five wounds of Christ that seal the new covenant. Five Principal Offerings (Leviticus 1–5) Leviticus opens with five distinct sacrifices: burnt, grain, peace, sin and guilt offerings. Together they trace the whole course of reconciliation—devotion, thanksgiving, fellowship, atonement and restitution. This fivefold pattern portrays the full sufficiency of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14) and guides pastoral teaching on the comprehensive scope of redemption. Fivefold Restitution and Covenant Justice Exodus 22:1 commands, “If a man steals an ox … he must repay five oxen for an ox.” The five-for-one principle magnifies the seriousness of sin and upholds restorative justice. Joseph’s agrarian policy in Egypt likewise established “a fifth” (Genesis 41:34; 47:24) as sustainable taxation rather than confiscation, revealing God’s concern for both mercy and order in economics. Military and Administrative Groupings of Five Exodus 13:18 records that Israel “went up in battle formation [literally, ‘by fives’] out of Egypt.” Later, the Philistines are led by “five rulers” (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:4), and Canaanite opposition coalesces under “five kings” (Joshua 10:16–26). These strategic quintets illustrate the completeness of human opposition and the adequacy of divine deliverance. In ministry settings the text encourages structured, disciplined preparation under God’s command. Tabernacle and Temple Measurements “Five cubits long and five cubits wide” describe the bronze altar (Exodus 27:1). Curtains are joined “in sets of five” (Exodus 26:3); boards, sockets and pillars are arranged in multiples of five (Exodus 26–27; 36–38). Solomon’s Temple keeps the pattern: “five cubits high” latticework (1 Kings 7:15), “ten lavers, five on the right side and five on the left” (1 Kings 7:39). The repeated measurement stamps the sanctuary with the signature that worship rests on God’s gracious design, not human invention. Episodes of Deliverance Involving Five • Genesis 14:9—Abram rescues Lot after the defeat of “four kings against five,” portraying the patriarch’s faith triumphing amid uneven odds. Poetic and Prophetic Usage Isaiah employs fivefold language for judgment and promise: “For five acres of vineyard will yield only a bath of wine” (Isaiah 5:10) and “In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan” (Isaiah 19:18). Amos intensifies warning: “Seek Me and live, lest I break out like fire” (Amos 5:4–6), following a chiastic scheme that includes five laments. Typological Echoes Reaching into the New Testament Though the Greek New Testament uses πέντε, the narrative echo is unmistakable: five loaves feeding multitudes (Matthew 14:17), five wise virgins (Matthew 25:2), and the fivefold Christian ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11). The Hebrew precedent of חָמֵשׁ undergirds these events, linking Old and New in a seamless testimony of divine provision. Ministry Implications 1. Teaching: The five books of Moses and five offerings furnish a ready outline for catechesis on creation, fall, redemption, sanctification and restoration. Conclusion Across law, worship, account and prophecy, חָמֵשׁ threads the message that God’s grace is both sufficient and structured. Recognizing the biblical pattern of five deepens confidence in Scripture’s unity and equips the church to proclaim and practice the whole counsel of God. Forms and Transliterations בַּחֲמִשָּֽׁה־ בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֣ה בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה בַּחֲמִשָּׁה֩ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה־ בַּחֲמֵ֥שׁ בחמש בחמשה בחמשה־ הַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ החמשה׃ וְחָֽמֵשׁ־ וְחָמֵ֖שׁ וְחָמֵ֛שׁ וְחָמֵ֜שׁ וְחָמֵ֣שׁ וְחָמֵ֤שׁ וְחָמֵ֥שׁ וְחָמֵ֧שׁ וְחָמֵ֨שׁ וְחָמֵשׁ֙ וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֣ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֧ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה וַחֲמִשָּׁה֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ וַחֲמֵ֨שֶׁת וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ וַחֲמֵֽשֶׁת־ וּבַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה֩ ובחמשה וחמש וחמש־ וחמשה וחמשה׃ וחמשת וחמשת־ חְמֵ֥שׁ חֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה חֲמִשָּׁ֕ה חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה חֲמִשָּׁ֗ה חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה חֲמִשָּׁ֤ה חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה חֲמִשָּׁ֧ה חֲמִשָּׁ֨ה חֲמִשָּׁה֙ חֲמִשָּׁה֩ חֲמִשָּׁה־ חֲמִשָּׁ֤ה חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת חֲמֵ֗שֶׁת חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ חֲמֵ֣שׁ חֲמֵ֤שֶׁת חֲמֵ֤שׁ חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת חֲמֵ֥שׁ חֲמֵ֧שֶׁת חֲמֵ֧שׁ חֲמֵ֨שׁ חֲמֵֽשֶׁת־ חֲמֵשֶׁת־ חֲמֵשׁ חֲמֵשׁ־ חָֽמֵשׁ־ חָמֵ֔שׁ חָמֵ֗שׁ חָמֵ֜שׁ חָמֵ֞שׁ חָמֵ֣שׁ חָמֵ֤שׁ חָמֵ֥שׁ חָמֵ֧שׁ חָמֵ֨שׁ חָמֵֽשׁ׃ חָמֵשׁ֩ חמש חמש־ חמש׃ חמשה חמשה־ חמשה׃ חמשת חמשת־ כַּחֲמֵ֤שֶׁת כַּחֲמֵ֥שֶׁת כחמשת לַחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה לַחֲמֵ֣שֶׁת לחמשה לחמשת מֵחֲמֵ֖שׁ מחמש ba·ḥă·mêš ba·ḥă·miš·šāh ba·ḥă·miš·šāh- bachaMesh bachamishShah baḥămêš baḥămiššāh baḥămiššāh- chaMesh chaMeshet chamishShah cheMesh ha·ḥă·miš·šāh ḥă·mê·šeṯ ḥă·mê·šeṯ- ḥă·mêš ḥā·mêš ḥă·mêš- ḥā·mêš- ḥă·miš·šāh ḥă·miš·šāh- hachamishShah haḥămiššāh ḥămêš ḥāmêš ḥămêš- ḥāmêš- ḥămêšeṯ ḥămêšeṯ- ḥămiššāh ḥămiššāh- ḥə·mêš ḥəmêš ka·ḥă·mê·šeṯ kachaMeshet kaḥămêšeṯ la·ḥă·mê·šeṯ la·ḥă·miš·šāh lachaMeshet lachamishShah laḥămêšeṯ laḥămiššāh mê·ḥă·mêš mechaMesh mêḥămêš ū·ḇa·ḥă·miš·šāh ūḇaḥămiššāh uvachamishShah vachaMesh vachameshet vachamishShah vechaMesh wa·ḥă·mê·šeṯ wa·ḥă·mê·šeṯ- wa·ḥă·mêš wa·ḥă·miš·šāh waḥămêš waḥămêšeṯ waḥămêšeṯ- waḥămiššāh wə·ḥā·mêš wə·ḥā·mêš- wəḥāmêš wəḥāmêš-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 5:6 HEB: וַֽיְחִי־ שֵׁ֕ת חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וּמְאַ֣ת NAS: one hundred and five years, KJV: an hundred and five years, INT: lived Seth and five years hundred Genesis 5:10 Genesis 5:11 Genesis 5:15 Genesis 5:17 Genesis 5:21 Genesis 5:23 Genesis 5:30 Genesis 5:30 Genesis 5:32 Genesis 7:20 Genesis 11:11 Genesis 11:12 Genesis 11:32 Genesis 12:4 Genesis 14:9 Genesis 18:28 Genesis 18:28 Genesis 18:28 Genesis 25:7 Genesis 43:34 Genesis 45:6 Genesis 45:11 Genesis 45:22 Genesis 47:2 344 Occurrences |
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; Phoenician חמשת; Palmyrene חמשא, with masculine noun, ReckendZMG 1888, 408; Assyrian —amšu, —amiltu Dl§ 75; Ethiopic 
Arabic 
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Sabean & Lihyânian חֿמס DHMZMG xxix, 613; Epigr. Denkm. 71, 73); — masculine (c. noun feminine) absolute חָמֵשׁ